Rising from Ashes – 1

Thea’s POV

My hands trembled slightly as I scrubbed the dust from the floor, my pregnancy-heightened sense of smell making the cleaning chemicals almost nauseating. But I stubbornly continued cleaning anyway, desperate to keep my mind from wandering. I was still struggling to accept the reality of my pregnancy.

When Sebastian had refused the idea of us having another child, I’d practically given up hope of ever giving Leo a sibling. Now I had another pup growing inside me and didn’t know how to feel about it.

My phone rang, Iris’s name flashing on the screen. A few weeks ago, I would’ve ignored it completely, but today was different. Pushing away people who cared about me wasn’t doing me any good.

“Hey, Iris,” I said softly as I sat down.

I’d been so fucking tired lately. I should have realized it wasn’t just fatigue.

“Goddamn it, Thea, you finally answered! I thought you wouldn’t pick up,” she said loudly through the phone, then sniffled. “I’ve missed your voice. It’s been weeks since I heard it.”

“I’m sorry,” I exhaled. “I just didn’t know how to deal with everything, so I pushed you away.”

I was never good at expressing emotions or even acknowledging them. Probably because I’d learned to hide my true feelings in the Sterling household from an early age. There, showing vulnerability meant more contempt. So I’d shut down, tried to bury them. But now I realized that bottling up emotions only made things worse, like licking wounds alone only made them fester.

“Are you okay now?” she asked.

“Not completely, but I’m getting there,” I said, my hand unconsciously moving to my stomach.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I would come out stronger from all this. I couldn’t help remembering standing at the edge of that cliff, the urge to end it all. My brain had been so consumed by despair and fear that I’d forgotten the most basic thing about being a mother wolf—protecting your pups above all else. This child was my pup just like Leo, and I’d already decided to be a good mother. I was going to be the best damn mother this kid could have.

“I’m pregnant,” I told her softly after a moment of silence.

“What?” she shrieked in surprise. “When did you find out?”

“About a week ago.”

Just like Leo, this baby came suddenly and unplanned. But that wouldn’t stop me from loving him or her. I’d always wanted another child. I might not like the father right now, but that wasn’t the child’s fault.

“Oh honey, congratulations,” her tone filled with joy once the shock wore off.

“You sound happy about the news. I thought you wouldn’t be, considering who the father is.”

“Life is always a blessing, Thea. I truly believe this child is a gift from the Moon Goddess. When you were drowning, when you needed hope the most, she sent this life to you, to pull you out of the darkness. It’s your salvation.” I heard emotion clogging her voice.

I thought about what she said, and it was true. It was because of Leo and this child that I wanted to get better. That I was willing to accept the help I needed.

“Thank you for trying, Iris. Even when I kept pushing you away, you kept trying. You never gave up on me,” I was nearly in tears, every little thing making me emotional now.

“You’re my best friend. More like the sister I never had. Of course, I wouldn’t give up on you, because I know if our roles were reversed, you’d do the same.”

We talked for a while longer, staying away from heavy topics. By the time we finally ended the call, I felt a lightness I hadn’t experienced in ages. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her. How fucking lonely I’d been these past weeks. I felt more like myself now. Not completely healed, but getting there.

I continued cleaning, and had just finished the living room when I heard the front door open.

I frowned. Who the hell would enter my house without knocking or ringing the bell?

“Mom! Mom! I’m home!” My question was answered when I heard his sweet voice.

A huge smile spread across my face as I stood up. I rushed out of the living room just in time to see him bolt in from the entryway.

Rising from Ashes – 2

“Leo!”

His body slammed into my embrace. I held him tight, tears streaming down my face. His body fit perfectly in my arms, just right. I’d missed him so much.

I kissed his entire face, holding him even tighter.

“Mom!” he giggled, but didn’t push me away.

“I missed you so much! How are you here right now?” I asked him, pulling back slightly but not letting go.

We were both sitting on the floor, but I didn’t care. I was just so fucking happy to have him with me.

“Dad came to get me. He said you needed me. It was my surprise for you, so I didn’t tell you when we talked yesterday.”

It wasn’t until he mentioned his father that I realized Sebastian was standing in front of him. Our eyes locked and I saw something in his that I couldn’t quite place.

“Hi,” I said softly.

He’d been coming to my house every day to check on me. He’d been supportive and kind. It still surprised me. This Sebastian was so different from the one I was used to that I didn’t know how to respond to this version of him.

As he’d promised, he’d gotten me a therapist three days ago, and I’d started sessions. Every time he did something nice, I was surprised by his actions. It was so unlike him.

“Hey Thea… how are you feeling today?” he asked with a smile.

“I’m good,” I shrugged. I was taking steps to be better, and that was what mattered.

Leo tugged at my sleeve, and I looked at him. “Is it true? You’re having a baby?”

I glared at Sebastian, who looked somewhat sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yes, Leo,” I bit my lip, worried about his reaction since he’d never mentioned wanting

siblings.

When his face lit up with a brilliant smile, I was taken aback.

“That’s so cool!” he bounced excitedly in place. “Can you make the baby a girl? I always wanted a sister.”

His reaction made something inside me finally loosen. If Leo could accept this baby, then I felt like I could face any challenge, and everything would be okay.

“It’s not something I can control, baby,” I explained gently. “It’s a fifty- fifty chance, so it could be a boy or a girl.”

“No! It’s a girl, Mom. I’m going to have a sister because that’s what I want, and I always get what I want.” His face was etched with determination.

His tone and expression were so much like Sebastian that I couldn’t help but chuckle. Sebastian cleared his throat. “Buddy, can you give your mom and me a minute to talk?” Leo looked between the two of us, then nodded and ran upstairs to see the room I’d prepared for him.

When his footsteps faded, I turned to Sebastian. “How did you know I needed him?”

He shrugged. “Call it Alpha intuition, I really can’t explain it.”

“I’m glad to see him, but is it safe for him? Those bastards who sent the threat are still out there, even if we haven’t made any progress.”

He sighed. “Don’t worry, they won’t hurt Leo. I can’t guarantee the safety of others, but Leo isn’t a target, and that’s enough for me.”

When he mentioned others, I didn’t feel particularly concerned. Like he said, Leo was my main worry.

Besides Iris, the rest could go to hell for all I cared.

“Thank you for bringing him back, and for everything else you’ve done for me,” I told him sincerely. He’d done so much for me these past days, and I would always be grateful.

“For you, anything’s worth it, Thea.”

It felt weird hearing him say that. His tone was so serious it made me wonder if he had a fever or was possessed by something.

Before I could contemplate what his change meant, Leo’s excited screech came from upstairs. “Mom! My room is awesome! Even better than what I saw in your video!”

I smiled, putting the Sebastian question aside for now. At this moment, my priorities were Leo and the baby inside me. And I had plenty to think about. Like how I was going to face Kane tomorrow.